CJ Stroud and the Texans could prompt position change for star teammate in the 2025 NFL season

The Houston Texans have in CJ Stroud an incredible player. The AFC South team knows he needs to be surrounded by the best talent possible, which is why they may be forcing a star teammate to switch positions—for the good of the team.

During the 2023 NFL Draft, the Texans made a bold move by selecting a quarterback in the first round. The team had struggled in recent years, cycling through veterans and unproven prospects in hopes of finding a reliable signal-caller.

After growing tired of that instability, they used the No. 2 overall pick to draft CJ Stroud. Since then, he’s proven to be a franchise-caliber quarterback, one who can finally lead Houston toward long-term success.

Texans force star player to switch positions due to roster depth concerns

After two impressive seasons, it’s time for CJ Stroud to take the next big step. The former Ohio State standout is determined to be the face of a franchise that has long lacked a true leader at quarterback.

Stroud has shown he can deliver under pressure. But the Texans know that success also depends on protecting him—and giving him the best supporting cast possible. That’s why they’ve been aggressive in building around him, including leaning on veterans already in place before his arrival.

One of those key veterans is Tytus Howard. Drafted in 2019 as a first-round pick, Howard originally played right tackle but has shifted positions multiple times due to injuries across the offensive line.

He finished last season playing at left guard—a move driven by necessity. Now, the team plans to move him at right guard. While it’s another adjustment, Howard views the switch as an opportunity to grow and help the team in a critical role.

“I love it, man,” Howard told Aaron Wilson of KPRC on changing position. “Just getting these reps in. Probably the first time I got a chance to get this many reps in at guard before the season started. So, I’m doing the best I can do to get the technique down. And the coaches have been doing a tremendous job helping me with that.”

Have the Texans ever won a Super Bowl?

The Houston Texans joined the NFL in 2002, making them one of the league’s youngest franchises. Unfortunately, they’ve never reached the Super Bowl—let alone won one—since their inception.

CJ Stroud is determined to change that. Carrying the weight of an underperforming franchise is no easy task, but the front office is committed to surrounding him with the right talent to help him succeed.